In downsize, Alameda couple redesigns their lives

Cece Reinhardt and Brenda Daugherty are moving into this 438-square-foot home in Alameda. Photo by Cece Reinhardt.

Cece Reinhardt and Brenda Daugherty were living the California dream in a cottage in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with two cars and “all the things that most people get excited about.” But having all of that didn’t really make them happy.

Daugherty was commuting to San Francisco for work every day, and even though both had good jobs, they were unable to save the money they wanted to for retirement or for the travel they wanted to do.

“We felt like we were just treading water. And we weren’t happy,” Reinhardt said. “The more stuff we had, the less happy we were.”

That realization marked the start of a journey that saw the couple selling their home and buying a used Airstream trailer, which served as both a home and rolling showcase for a “green” remodel performed with the aid of a host of sponsors. Now they’re moving in to a 438-square-foot former train ticket office on Pacific Avenue which they also hope will allow them to educate people on healthy, sustainable design and to offer visitors and example of how they, too could live in smaller spaces with only the things they need, and how they might redesign their lives around the things that matter to them most.